I heard they work great but they mess up the bug hierchy. Like they had less flies but more of a different kind of bug thing.... It was like 2 years ago that I had the conversation with this gal and I don't remember the details, but it was something along that line.

I have been using them for about 2 yrs straight now and at first I thought they were doing a good job but this year I'm not so sure. The flies seem to be horrible already!!!!!!!! Of course this is Florida but their so bad right I am thinking that the fly predators aren't working. I also clean out my whole pasture every night of manure so there is never lots of it standing around for the flies to get at. My horses won't keep fly masks on they manage to scrape them off on the trees somehow I'll keep using the fly predators cause like I said the first 2 years their did seem to be less flies. (maybe their just immune now???)

We have been using them for 3 years now, and they DO seem to cut back on the fly population. Just be sure to follow the directions for "application"...... If you put them out too early in the day, you will only succeed in feeding the birds and ants.

__________________There is something about riding down the street on a prancing horse that makes you feel like something, even when you ain't a thing. ~ Will Rogers

We were going to use them, but our vet said it was a waste of money. From what he said, the fly predators do kill flies, but they are not the biting type of flies??? His almost exact words were something like: "They don't kill the flies that bother horses and people." So we listened and didn't get any.

Be careful using the mineral block that contains fly repellant. The directions say that the block should last 10-12 horses several weeks (something like that), and my two finished the entire thing before the week was up.

__________________
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.\" -Jim Elliot

I just started using the Rabon blocks (maybe cost between $15-$20? Hubby paid for them). Two horses went through one block in two weeks. I read here that they work well if used early and consistantly but thats alot of blocks!

My BO feeds the horses garlic, we still have flies, but they don't bite. They land then leave. His ex-gelding, now mine, will NOT stand to be fly sprayed, so they started feeding the garlic, it worked fairly well so they stuck with it.

My mom used the clear bag of plain water on her back patio last year and it seemed to help some but not all. I am not sure if it would be enough to keep them away from horses....just too tempting.

Fire ants: Take a shovel full of dirt from two different mounds and dump the dirt from one on another....ants are territorial and will kill ants from another colony. Works. Also self rising corn meal...can't digest it and makes them explode supposedly..I havent tried that one yet but alot cheaper than ant killer and won't hurt horses.

__________________"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."

I used them for the first itme last year and I saw a difference and I was even using less than I was supposed to and started late. This year I got the proper amount and I am starting on time so I hope they will do an even better job. I also didnt use them in the dog area which I think would have helped more so I am going to make sure I do this year.

I have never tried this, but I have seen it done..........If you hang a clear bag (like a zip lock bag) filled with water and sugar, it keeps the flies away ..... Anyone tried it ?

Keep the flies away, but have a million ants

I used the fly predators (Spaulding Lab's) and they worked great. I stopped getting them cause I lost my debit card and never got around to giving them the new number. There is an "generic" fly predator and they come in a paper bag and half are dead by the time you get them.

__________________~Everyone ought to bear patiently the results of his own conduct.~ Wm.Shakspeare~Ride free Fara, I miss you my friend~